Study Desk

From the city he took a court official who had been appointed over the warriors; seven trusted royal aides found in the city; the secretary of the commander of the army, who enlisted the people of the land for military duty; and sixty men from the common people who were found within the city.

So Jehoiachin changed his prison clothes, and he dined regularly in the presence of the king of Babylon for the rest of his life.

As for his allowance, a regular allowance was given to him by the king of Babylon, a portion for each day until the day of his death, for the rest of his life.

The roads to Zion mourn,for no one comes to the appointed festivals.All her gates are deserted;her priests groan,her young women grieve,and she herself is bitter.

Her adversaries have become her masters;her enemies are at ease,for the Lord has made her sufferbecause of her many transgressions.Her children have gone awayas captives before the adversary.

Jerusalem has sinned grievously;therefore, she has become an object of scorn.All who honored her now despise her,for they have seen her nakedness.She herself groans and turns away.

Her uncleanness stains her skirts.She never considered her end.Her downfall was astonishing;there was no one to comfort her.Lord, look on my affliction,for the enemy boasts.

All her people groanwhile they search for bread.They have traded their precious belongings for foodin order to stay alive.Lord, look and seehow I have become despised.

He sent fire from on high into my bones;he made it descend.He spread a net for my feetand turned me back.He made me desolate,sick all day long.

The Lord is just,for I have rebelled against his command.Listen, all you people;look at my pain.My young women and young menhave gone into captivity.

I called to my lovers,but they betrayed me.My priests and eldersperished in the citywhile searching for foodto keep themselves alive.

Lord, see how I am in distress.I am churning within;my heart is broken,for I have been very rebellious.Outside, the sword takes the children;inside, there is death.

What can I say on your behalf?What can I compare you to, Daughter Jerusalem?What can I liken you to,so that I may console you, Virgin Daughter Zion?For your ruin is as vast as the sea.Who can heal you?

Your prophets saw visions for youthat were empty and deceptive;they did not reveal your iniquityand so restore your fortunes.They saw pronouncements for youthat were empty and misleading.

All your enemiesopen their mouths against you.They hiss and gnash their teeth,saying, “We have swallowed her up.This is the day we have waited for!We have lived to see it.”

You summon those who terrorize me on every side,as if for an appointed festival day;on the day of the Lord’s angerno one escaped or survived.My enemy has destroyedthose I nurtured and reared.

He has made me dwell in darknesslike those who have been dead for ages.

Even when I cry out and plead for help,he blocks out my prayer.

He strung his bowand set me as the target for his arrow.

Because of the Lord’s faithful lovewe do not perish,for his mercies never end.